The Content Accelerator programme, aimed to stimulate innovative entrepreneurship and new business within Sanoma, ran shortly before Summer. As a result, two new internal ventures have been established that will now develop in a responsive and agile way into new businesses.
Spot & Shop (bit.ly/spotandshop) is a mobile app that allows users to snap pictures and receive instant feedback from the fashion community where you could buy such an item. You see something you like, take a picture, and other users will direct you to a shop. The app allows you to purchase the item instantly.
Hubly (www.thehublyblog.com) is a completely different idea: it’s a content marketplace where we can ask the content creation community to upload requested copy, photographs or videos that we would like to use in one of our well-known brands. From the other side, creative people can offer us material that we can use.
After two rounds of the Accelerator, Sanoma Internal Ventures has supported the establishment of six internal ventures currently: online video marketplace UCourse, beauty advice app BeautyTale, kids learning gaming app MosiPlay, video homework tutorial platform ClipScool, and the two new ventures Spot & Shop & Hubly.
A third round of the Innovation Accelerator focusing on Commerce will be launched in the Autumn.